Derry or Londonderry (Irish: 'Doire', meaning 'Oak Grove'), is the second city of Northern Ireland and the fourth largest city on the island of Ireland after Dublin, Belfast and Cork. It is situated on the river Foyle in County Londonderry, close to county Donegal in the Republic of Ireland. It has a population of roughly 100,000.
Note that the name of the city is a point of political dispute, with unionists advocating the longer name, and nationalists advocating the shorter. A common attempt at compromise is to refer to the county as "Londonderry" and the city as "Derry", but this is by no means universally accepted. Because of this, a peculiar situation arises as there is no common consensus either in politics or elsewhere as to which name is preferred; the city council is officially known as "Derry", but the city is officially recognized as "Londonderry" by the Northern Ireland Executive and the UK government. Whilst road signs in the Republic of Ireland use "Derry", alongside the Irish language translation "Doire", road signs in Northern Ireland will always read "Londonderry". The city endured years of violence during the Troubles in Northern Ireland. The history of violence in the city still has an impact on life today, resulting in the need for visitors to take some extra precautions (see Stay Safe).

Understand

Situated on the banks of River Foyle, Derry is the second largest city in Northern Ireland and one of the oldest inhabited places in the whole island of Ireland. As they say there, 'Derry was a city when Belfast was still a swamp'. Derry's history dates back over 1,450 years, a lasting reminder of the early inhabitants of the area is the Iron Age fort, just over the border in County Donegal, known as the Grianan of Aileach.

In the 6th Century St Columba/Colmcille established a monastery in Derry. Shifting ten centuries later to the Plantation of Ulster, King James I of England had the wealthy guilds of London build up the city of Derry (hence the title Londonderry) and surround it by the defensive walls that still ring the city today.

These walls witnessed one of the most prominent events in the history of Derry. In 1688 the city was laid siege by the Earl of Antrim and the Catholic forces of James II, the English king who was deposed in favour of Protestant William of Orange. The settlers of the city who were protestant, barricaded themselves within the walls, when a group of apprentice boys from London on seeing the on coming forces, locked the city gates and so started the Great Siege of Derry.

The siege was to be the longest in British history, lasting some 105 days, during which an estimated third of the city’s then population of 30,000 died through disease and starvation. When James II himself rode up to the city walls and lay down terms for surrender he was greeted with shouts of ‘No Surrender’. The siege was finally broken when the relief ship Mountjoy broke the boom which was laid across the River Foyle beside the city.

However the legacy of the Great Siege of Derry lasted for centuries with the Catholic and Protestant communities in Derry still largely divided today. During the years of the Troubles, Derry witnessed some of the most prominent and terrible events of those times. It was on Derry's Bogside area that British soldiers shot dead 14 Catholics in what became known as Bloody Sunday.

Since the peace process in Northern Ireland, Derry is slowly emerging as an upbeat cosmopolitan city with great potential and huge tourist interest. A lot of Derry’s sights are meshed with its history, the 16th Century walls which surround the city are among the oldest and the best preserved citadel walls in Europe.

A huge percentage of Derry’s population fall into the 20 – 30 age group and there are plenty of places to cater for them with lots of clothes shops and boutiques, pubs, bars and clubs and Derry's traditional Irish and folk music scene are well established.

Get in

By plane

City of Derry Airport[1] (airport code LDY) an airport serving Derry, Tyrone, and Donegal in the Republic of Ireland.

Taxis are available from the airport, with the typical fares to the city centre around £12, with the journey taking roughly 15 minutes.

There is also a bus service but given the intermittent timetable, unless you're short of cash, you should just take a taxi. For details of Ulsterbus bus services visit Translink. The typical fare to the city centre is £2.70 and the journey takes approximately 20-30 minutes.

From Belfast

Belfast has two airports, serving a host of destinations. Belfast International Airport is situated 100km from Derry, whilst Belfast City Airport is located 115km from Derry.
Both Belfast airports are served by a good bus connection to Derry city centre with Airporter [4].

From Dublin

It is also possible to get to Derry from Dublin Airport, 225km to the south-east.
Dublin Airport is Ireland's international air hub, served by Ryanair, Aer Arann, Aer Lingus [5] and many other international carriers, with destinations in Ireland, Europe, Africa, North America and the Middle East.
Buses[6] link Dublin Airport and the Derry, running throughout the night.

By train

Northern Ireland Railways (a subsidiary of Translink [7]) have trains travelling to and from Belfast regularly during the whole day. Trains arrive in Derry's Waterside, with a shuttle bus linking the train station to the (more central) bus station.

The journey between Belfast and Derry takes just over 2 hours and between Coleraine and Derry affords great views along the shores of Lough Foyle, although this method takes longer than the bus as it is less direct.

By car

From Belfast: Start on the M2 and you can either take the main road (A6)to Derry (signposted as Londonderry) via Dungiven or the scenic drive along the Antrim Coast, passing the Giant's Causeway.

From Dublin: Take the M1 motorway and go as far as the signpost for Derry and Ardee. Then take the N32 whick links to the N2. Follow the N2 via Carrickmacross and Monaghan to the Border where the road then becomes the A5. Travel northwards via Omagh and Strabane until you reach Derry. (Note: North of the border road signs will read Londonderry, South of the border Derry).

From Belfast International Airport: Take the main road to the M2 from the airport through Templepatrick. Follow the signposts onto the main road to Londonderry.

By bus

Translink's [8] Goldline Express No. 212 departs to and from Belfast regularly during the whole day.
Dublin is connected with Goldine Express No. 274 and Bus Éireann service No. 33, which runs throughout the night.
There is also a connection with the west coast with Bus Éireann service No. 64, which runs to Sligo and Galway, then onwards to Limerick and Cork.
Full details of bus services are available from Translink and Bus Éireann [9]

Further services, aimed mainly at travellers arriving into the local airports are operated byAirporter [10].

Get around

Derry is essential split into two main areas, by the River Foyle - The Waterside and The City Side/Derry Side. The two banks of the river are connected by two bridges. The eldest of these is the Craigavon Bridge, a double-decker bridge which once carried trains on its lower deck. More-recently constructed of the two was the Foyle Bridge. This is a four-lane concrete bridge, which is further from the city centre.

The East side of the river is known as The Waterside. This is traditionally the home of Derry's unionist population.

The West side of the Foyle is usually known as The City Side. This is predominantly nationalist and contains most of the tourist attractions, the city centre and The Guildhall. Here you will find the city walls and the Bogside. The city centre is small and suitable for walking.

Visitors can now travel the length of the final section of the Foyle, from Derry City to Culmore Point (daytime) and on to Greencastle in County Donegal (evenings), on board the Toucan One cruiser. The Toucan One sails seven days a week, and offers full bar facilities and other refreshments. Cruises leave from behind the Derry City Council offices.

See

As well as excellent tours around the city and its 17th Century walls, Derry also boasts a number of excellent visitor attractions. The Tower Museum is an award winning attraction, telling the history of the city and includes a range of exhibitions, while Derry's Guildhall, St Columb's Cathedral, St Eugene's Cathedral and St Augustine's Chapel are all historic buildings of stunning architecture.

Other sights include the fascinating Bogside Murals found on the walls of what is known as Free Derry Corner and depict various events in the history of the town, from the Nationalist perspective. A more contemporary sculpture in the city, known as Hands Across the Divide, serves as a symbol of the two communities coming together.

The city walls are the best-preserved in all of Ireland and make about a one-mile circumference around the city center.

Wall in Derry City

Do

City walls

Derry is the only remaining completely intact walled city in Ireland and one of the finest examples of a walled city in Europe.[11][12][13] The walls constitute the largest monument in State care in Northern Ireland and, as the last walled city to be built in Europe, stands as the most complete and spectacular.[14]

The Walls were built during the period 1613-1618 by "the honourable the Irish Society" as defences for early 17th century settlers from England and Scotland. The Walls, which are approximately 1 mile (1.5 km) in circumference and which vary in height and width between 12 and 35 feet (4 to 12 metres), are completely intact and form a walkway around the inner city. They provide a unique promenade to view the layout of the original town which still preserves its Renaissance style street plan. The four original gates to the Walled City are Bishop’s Gate, Ferryquay Gate, Butcher Gate and Shipquay Gate to which three further gates were added later, Magazine Gate, Castle Gate and New Gate, making seven gates in total. Historic buildings within the walls include the 1633 Gothic cathedral of St Columb, the Apprentice Boys Memorial Hall and the courthouse.

It is one of the few cities in Europe that never saw its fortifications breached, withstanding several sieges including one in 1689 which lasted 105 days, hence the city's nickname, The Maiden City.[15]

Bogside

Take a walk around the "Free Derry" corner between the Bogside and the western side of the old city walls. Stop and look at the political murals made by local artists during the 90's, depicting key events in the harsh conflict haunting Northern Ireland. In the same area, the Free Derry monument, Free Derry Museum, and Bloody Sunday memorial are also located. The Bogside remains a troubled part of the city, making it unsafe at night. Taking a guided tour of the Bogside is probably the best option for visitors.

Museums

The city is home to several museums. (Contact Tourist Information for their opening times which can be somewhat erratic):

Tower Museum, Union Hall Place, Derry. Considered the main museum of the city, it tells the story of Derry from pre-historic times to the foundation of the city in 542, the siege of 1689, the Irish Famine of 1846, the partition of Ireland in 1921, the recent conflict of 1969-1994, up until modern times. The museum now houses a new exhibition of the Spanish Armada. Voted European museum of the year in 1994.

Workhouse Museum, Dungiven Road, Derry. A restored workhouse showing what conditions were like during the Irish Famine.

Genealogy Centre, Butcher Street, Derry. Trace your Irish ancestry!

Free Derry Musuem, Glenfada Park, Derry. A museum of the Northern Irish conflict. A section is dedicated to the Bloody Sunday and its aftermath.

The People's Gallery, Rossville Street, Derry. The "Bogside Artists" [16], who painted the murals in the Bogside, tell the story of over thirty years of turbulent history and unrest through their paintings.

Old Gaol, Fountain, Derry. A small musuem of Loyalist memorabilia. Only one of the original gaol (jail) towers remain, the rest having been demolished in 1973. Wolfetone, one of the leaders of the 1798 United Irishmen rebellion, was imprisoned here prior to his execution. (Visit by prior arrangement only)

Apprentice Boys Memorial Hall, Society Street, Derry. A musuem is housed in the main building detailing the history of the Apprentice Boys and their prominent role in the 1689 Siege.

Amelia Earhart Museum, Ballyarnett Country Park, Derry. Dedicated to the female aviatrix who landed in the city in 1936 becoming the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. (Visit by prior arrangement only - small museum on the outskirts of the city)

Halloween

The city is host to an annual Halloween Carnival on the 31st October. Upwards of 30,000 revellers dressed in fancy dress costumes throng the streets and bars til the early hours. It is the biggest festival of its kind in Ireland attracting vistors from as far as Australia, Japan and the USA.

Sport

Derry City Football Club[17] play their home matches are played the Brandywell Stadium, in the Brandywell area of the city, with most league matches taking place on Friday night. The club play in the League of Ireland Premier Divison, which is actually the league of the Republic of Ireland. Visitors to the club with be assured of a warm welcome and a lively atmosphere, with the club being one of the top teams in the country.

Learn

Magee College is a campus of the University of Ulster located in the city.

Work

Buy

Most of Derry's retail stores are situated well within walking distance of the city centre. The main shopping malls are Foyleside [18] and the Richmond Centre [19]. Between them, these malls contain many of the stores which one would expect to find in any city in the UK or Ireland, such as Marks & Spencer, Debenhams and Dunnes Stores.

Derry's last remaining home-grown department store is Austins, in The Diamond, and claims to be the world's oldest independent department store.
Be sure to visit Guildhall Square during the day, where a local market operates.

Eat

Budget

Fiorentini's: Italian-owned cafe, known throughout the city for it's great value meals, and home to the best ice-cream in town. Be sure to try the Knickerbocker Glory!

Costa Coffée, very small (located beneath an escalator!), within the FoyleSide Shopping Center, fair priced, delicious coffée and snacks.

Mid-range

Danano's: A really nice Italian that is relatively cheap but great food.

Badgers: A great port of call for lunch while shopping. Can be crowded and cramped at busy times.

Flaming Jack's: Top quality, good value restaurant. 2 courses for £10 offer on most days. One of the busiest city centre restaurants in Derry, located on Strand Road.

Quaywest: Strand Road: by the Waterfront, quite near the Mandarin Palace. Opened in recent years and is quite successful. Serves light and sumptuous cuisine with an array of alcoholic drinks. Relatively cheap.

Grillroom Restaurant: [20] Restaurant in the Ramada Da Vinci Hotel. Declan Hutton is the head chef. Lunch specials from £10.

Guava: healthy food smoothie bar. Can be crowded at most times. If one prefers more substance than a smoothie, there is a choice of non blended food!

Splurge

The Mandarin Palace, Strand Road: Long established Chinese food restaurant with excellent service and value, if you can spare the cash that is! It is however well worth the money. Open from 5.00 in the evening.

The Exchange: The best restaurant in Derry in the opinion of many ... try the duck!

Timberquay Restaurant & Wine Bar'[21], Strand Road: A new vibrant dining experience located on the banks of the River Foyle.

Brown's Restaurant and Champagne Lounge Now under new management, with multi-award winning chef Ian Orr. Certainly one of the North West's finest restaurants and first champagne lounge.

Drink

Derry is a small city with a recent turbulent past. Odds are, you shouldn't have any problems, but be aware of tensions. (see "Stay Safe" below)

Located in the centre of the city, just outside the Walled City, Waterloo Street is a steep hill lined with some of the city's liviliest bars.

Peadar O'Donnell's, 63 Waterloo St, phone +44 (0) 28 7137 2318. If you are looking for traditional Irish folk music sessions, this is the best place in Derry. Such sessions are held nearly every day of the week, and both locals and visitors create a nice atmosphere. Located in the "Catholic" part of the city.

Bound For Boston, Waterloo Street.. A Derry institution, situated in Waterloo Street this lively bar attracts people of all ages to sample the perfect pint. Only a few minutes walk from the famous Butcher Gate and City Walls. Renowned live band venue.

Gweedore Bar, Waterloo Street. Geared purely to live music but with a more contemporary band nature than Peadar O'Donnells. Here you can listen to line ups of all ages strutting their stuff giving their interpretations of all the favourites and some original self penned music.
Upstairs is in a nightclub-style, with disco nights.

The Metro, Bank Place. You'll find this charming bar in the shadow of the imposing city walls. The décor is interesting, with intriguing bric-a-brac collected from around the world, and lots of alcoves provide an intimate atmosphere. The pub grub here is of a high standard and features every thing from soup and sandwiches to a hearty beef stew in Guinness. A night the upper level transforms into ad hoc dance area, filled with a young crowd. Complete with a roof-top smoking area, great on a sunny day.

Downeys Bar Complex, Shipquay Street. Features a pub-sytle bar on the ground floor, a sports bar (The Poolworks) on the upper levels, the largest roof top beer garden in the city. Also contains 'Sugar' nightclub, extremely popular with the younger crowd.

Red Rooms[22], Duke Street. Located in the Waterside of the city, just opposite the railway station, is Derry's premier dance music venue. Featuring a large club, this venue attracts some of the world's top DJs. Be sure to check the website for upcoming appearances.

Oak Grove, Bishop Street Without. Located close to the Brandywell Stadium, this bar is busiest on Derry City FC matchdays.

Spirit Bar (spirit bar at Ramada Da Vinci Hotel Derry City), [23]. from 10.30pm. Spirit Bar is open every Friday & Saturday from 10.30pm onwards with modern chart music and the usual blasts from the past. No entry charge. Strictly over 23’s

Sleep

Budget

Serendipity House, 26 Marlborough Street, phone +44(0)2871264229. Named as one of the 12 best bed and breakfast in britan by the london times, serendipity is a wonderfull townhouse set in the perfect location just a stones throw from the city center and has outstanding panoramic views of the old city walls, all rooms are modern and comfortable with ensuite.

The Merchant's House, 16 Queen Street, phone +44(0)28 71269691/71264223. A wonderful old house with Bed and Breakfast. Nice and clean, good breakfast. No en suite bathroom because it would be a pity to change the house.

Groarty House And Manor, Groarty Manor is a newly built house, set in its own one acre site surrounded by trees, and is tastefully furnished in warm relaxing colours. Has disabled access and disabled bathroom facilities on the ground floor. Telephone +44(0)28 71261403. It offers a great base for touring County Londonderry, Donegal, and Derry City itself with its historic walls, museums and various other tourist attractions.

Derry City Independent Hostel[25], 44 Great James Street, phone +44 (0)28 71280542, email derryhostel@hotmail.com. A friendly, independent hostel, run by two backpackers who have been traveling around the world for quite some time themselves. The hostel actually consists of three separate houses, all spread out within walking distance of the old town and the Bogside murals.

Splurge

Everglades Hotel, 41-53 Prehen Road Derry BT47 2NH. Four star hotel, 2km south of the city centre on the east bank of the river (Waterside). Free car parking.

Beech Hill Country House Hotel, 32 Ardmore Road, Derry BT47 3QP, Tel: 02871 349279. Five star hotel as stayed in by Bill and Hillary Clinton. Small hotel in a converted country house, located in large grounds 5km east of the city centre on the east bank of the river (Waterside). Free car parking.

Stay safe

After Belfast, Derry was the main centre of trouble during Northern Ireland's conflict. As a majority Catholic city, there still remain significant tensions between the Republican and Loyalist communities in some parts of Derry. Wearing items of clothing which would identify you as being from any particular religious denomination or political viewpoint (for example Rangers or Celtic football shirts) is not advised.

Unlike Belfast, however, Derry has won no recent recognition for safe streets. It is in fact one of the biggest remaining trouble spots in Northern Ireland, and it is therefore necessary to take heightened precautions.

Derry has especially developed a reputation as a place with high levels of alcohol-fuelled violence. Use your common sense and try to avoid popular nightlife areas around closing time. Even during the day, be wise to your surroundings, as random attacks (particularly by delinquent youths) are sadly not uncommon. Recently there have also been assaults on foreigners in the city. Stay to areas were there are crowds and do not wander into residential areas.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland do not maintain a visible presence in parts of the city as attacks on Police officers are a common occurrence. The lack of regular policing in some parts of the city, notably the Bogside and Creggan areas, make them hotspots for criminality. On the Cityside, only the very centre of town would be considered safe at night. Tourists should take special care to stay away from residential areas of the city - the Bogside is only a few short minutes walk from the pubs and clubs of the city centre and can easily be walked into by accident.

Cope

For someone not familiar with English, the Derry accent can be quite challenging to understand at first (sometimes even to the native English speaker) and they tend to speak quite loudly and fast. However, if they know you are not from the area they will more than likely make an attempt to be more understandable.

The city is built on some quite steep hills. Therefore it is worth noting that a lot of walking up and down these hills will be required. They can become quite slippy in cold weather and sometimes when wet.

Get out

The city itself is quite small, making it easily to escape to the surrounding countryside. County Londonderry and nearby County Donegal have a wealth of green fields and sights to appeal to nature lovers. Ulsterbuses can be used for outings. These are operated by Translink.

A trip to the Giant's Causeway on the north coast is highly recommended. If you have a choice, come early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid crowds of tourists treading all over the place. Translink operate buses to and from the Giant's Causeway from both Derry and Belfast.

Not far outside Derry, across the border in Donegal is Grianan of Aileach. This ancient stone fort is on a hilltop between Derry and Letterkenny and affords superb views of loughs Foyle and Swilly, and of Derry itself. The fort at Grianan had been recently closed for renovation work. It is now once again open to the public.

This is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow!